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Prevalence of bronchial asthma in rural Indian children: A cross sectional study from South India

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence and to study the socio-demographic correlates of bronchial asthma among children aged 6–15 yr.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional community based study conducted by interview of parents of randomly selected 559 children using an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of bronchial asthma was found to be 10.3%. The prevalence of asthma was higher among boys (12.1%). There was a significant inverse linear trend with increasing age. A statistically significant association of bronchial asthma with family history of asthma was also observed.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of bronchial asthma among children with a higher prevalence among boys than girls. There were significant inverse linear association with increasing age and also with family history of asthma. Efforts should be directed towards screening and early detection among the children, especially those of parents with history of asthma to enable treatment and reduce morbidity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, 575 001, India

    Animesh Jain & H. Vinod Bhat

  2. Department of Community Medicine, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Deralakatte, Mangalore, India

    Das Acharya

Authors
  1. Animesh Jain
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  2. H. Vinod Bhat
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  3. Das Acharya
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Correspondence to Animesh Jain.

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Jain, A., Vinod Bhat, H. & Acharya, D. Prevalence of bronchial asthma in rural Indian children: A cross sectional study from South India. Indian J Pediatr 77, 31–35 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-009-0308-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-009-0308-6

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